Embracing LoRaWAN for smarter societies

The global push for connectivity is more ambitious than ever. Governments are rolling out initiatives to ensure everyone has access to high-speed internet, with significant investments in fibre and 5G networks. The aim? To close the digital divide, drive economic growth, and promote healthier, more connected communities. But as we discussed at The Things Conference, alongside industry leaders from MultiTech, Semtech, and FarrPoint, these technologies alone are not enough.

It’s time for Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) to take their rightful place in this connectivity ecosystem yet we face a critical challenge in ensuring policymakers and governments understand its value.

The Right Technology for the Right Use Case

While technologies like fibre and 5G often dominate conversations, Daniel Quant from MultiTech rightly pointed out these high-bandwidth technologies simply cannot solve every connectivity problem. This where LPWAN steps in.

From smart cities to environmental monitoring and public health, LPWAN offers a robust, low-power solution tailored to specific use cases. Jason Legget from Connexin underscored the importance of complementary technologies: “It’s about using the right tool for the right job. We’re not here to disparage fibre or 5G, but to demonstrate how LPWAN enhances the connectivity landscape.”

Despite its clear advantages, LPWAN faces a perception problem. “Low power doesn’t mean low quality,” Jason continued. “LPWAN provides a vital service where high-bandwidth options are impractical or unnecessary. It’s a key enabler for digital inclusion, ensuring no one is left behind.”

Why This Call to Arms? The Urgent Need for Policy Reform

Despite its transformative potential, LPWAN faces an uphill battle. One of the biggest challenges is regulatory recognition and support. As Olivier Beaujard highlighted, LPWAN operates on unlicensed spectrum, which allows for cost-effective and accessible deployment. However, this spectrum is under threat.

In the U.S., NextNav’s request for a high-powered license in the 902-928 MHz band could effectively obliterate LoRaWAN signals within a five-mile radius of their transmitters. This incident serves as a reminder: without proactive advocacy, LPWAN’s future is at risk.

However, licensing is just the tip of the iceberg. The broader issue lies in the lack of awareness among policymakers about the unique role LPWAN plays. While fibre and 5G have benefited from significant lobbying and investment, LPWAN is still viewed as a secondary or niche technology. This perception must change.

Daniel Quant captured the urgency perfectly: “We’ve done a lot of great work with regulators, but now we need to go up to the strategy level, we need to go to the policymakers who are trying to create economic growth, social wellbeing, and sustainability.” LPWAN is not a nice-to-have, it is critical infrastructure. And if we don’t advocate for it, we risk losing the spectrum and the opportunities it brings.

What’s Next? How Can You Get Involved?

At Connexin, we're looking to work with UK partners and businesses who see LPWAN as a vital part of their operations. We want to create solutions for customers that build evidence of LPWAN’s benefits and drive confidence in it as a solution. We also want to bring together consortiums, working together with the LoRa Alliance to agree on the right policy message to deliver to our new government.

Watch the full panel discussion here, or check out Liberté, Egalité, Connectivity to learn more.